Tell the FDA and EU: Set Arsenic Limits for Rice. Protect Our Kids!

Do you eat rice or products that contain rice by-products thinking they are healthy for you? Love cereal bars or energy products that the primary ingredients are organic brown rice syrup (OBRS?) Do you give your child toddler formula that contains OBRS? I'll give you a moment to go check.

Did you realize that you or someone in your family might be eating man-made arsenic?

I had no clue and served most of the above items to my family thinking they were healthy. I am Anna Hackman, editor of Green Talk, and a mom of four boys. I am outraged. I hope you are too.

As I learned recently, I was harming my family. They were eating arsenic every time they ate rice or a product containing a rice by-product.

The study found arsenic concentrations in the toddler formulas which was 6 times the level of the EPA safe water limits. (See my article about the study.) And guess what? My family eats organic brown rice syrup and energy bars that contain this ingredient.

Being a veteran blogger, I knew something wasn’t right in the hen house. During my investigation, I found that a noted 2007 study revealed that people who consume more than the average amount of rice were being exposed to arsenic. People at risk according to the study are:

· Young Children

· People with Gluten sensitivities

· People who normally consumed rice as part of their daily diets.

Since that 2007 study, nothing has changed!

Experts have stated changing the way farmers grow the rice could reduce the arsenic uptake dramatically without a reduction in yield. (See my second article on how to eat rice safely.)

But NOW it has to change. We all are at risk. Worse yet, young children who are still developing are at risk. No one knows the impact increased arsenic levels will have on growing young children’s development.

No one asked me if I wanted a serving of arsenic with my rice. Did they ask you?

Please support this petition to ask the FDA and the EU to institute strict guidelines regarding arsenic in rice. These guidelines will force the Rice Industry to change its way of farming to reduce arsenic exposure. In the meantime, read here how to take proactive steps protect your family. See my article here.

Please share this petition on Facebook, Twitter, and via email. If we want change, we have to band together.

If you wish to tweet or share on Facebook, simply cut and paste the following:

However, arsenic in rice products is old news in light of a 2007 study revealing the connection. Despite evidence of arsenic causing cancer, there are no governmental regulations as the amount of arsenic permissible in rice or products containing rice.

It is unknown as to the impact arsenic in rice will have on young children who are more susceptible to such exposure. In addition, people with gluten sensitives and/or those who eat rice as a staple to their diet are also at grave risk.

Agricultural experts have noted that the rice industry could dramatically reduce arsenic exposure by changing the way they farm.

In light of the above, I request that strict guidelines be enacted immediately to reduce arsenic in rice and food related products to protect the public.----------------